They sojourned there a period of five years. In the summer of 1862 the family met its first great affliction in the death of the mother, and the household was broken up.
   Mr. R., after the death of his mother, started out for himself, working on a farm by the month. He had only attended school about six months after coming to America. After occupying himself as we have stated for three months he purchased a yoke of oxen and employed himself in teaming four months. He then changed his occupation and began his initial experience in mercantile business by engaging as clerk in a dry-goods store in Pella, Iowa, where he was employed until the spring of 1861.
   Young Roelofsz, a lad thoughtful and ambitious beyond his years, desirous of seeing something more of the Western country, started out in the spring of the year mentioned, a youth of twenty, with three others, for the Pacific Slope. Their outfit consisted of a four-horse team and the various accouterments they would require on an overland journey. After reaching Ft. Laramie they "fell out," and our subject engaged to drive a team of oxen for other parties through to Virginia City, Mont. After much labor he finally landed safely at his destination, and subsequently employed himself in the hotels there and at various other occupations until the spring of 1867. He had in the meantime learned the baker's trade, and his western expedition had resulted quite satisfactorily financially.
   In the fall of the year mentioned Mr. Roelofsz returned to Marion County, Iowa, where he spent the winter following, and in the spring of 1868, a youth of twenty-four years, started out once more overland with a team, but this time for the young State of Nebraska. Coming to Tipton Precinct, this county, he pre-empted eighty acres of land on section 14, and kept bachelor's hall one year. In the meantime he had begun to make provision for the maintenance of a wife and helpmate, and the marriage of himself and Miss Nancy E. Grove was celebrated April 24, 1869. Mrs. Roelofsz was born in Mahaska County, Iowa in 1851, and is the daughter of James and Nancy (Price) Grove, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter born in Virginia, near the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Grove family is of German descent. and the father of Mrs. R. was a farmer and teamster combined, and while pursuing this latter occupation frequently drove six horses.
   The Grove family subsequently changed their residence from Pennsylvania to Illinois. and located in Champaign County. Here the father engaged in farming and teaming as before, but later removed to Tazewell County, Ill., settling near the present flourishing city of Peoria. Still not satisfied with his surroundings, he pushed on westward across the Mississippi, and took up his residence among the pioneers of Mahaska County, Iowa. He was one of the first settlers of that region, and securing 160 acres of Government land, battled with the elements of a new soil in the Hawkeye State until the spring of 1869, when he started on another pilgrimage, coming this time overland with teams to this county. He has since been a resident of Tipton Precinct, where he has a good homestead of eighty acres. A man of more than ordinary activity and industry, he has effected all the improvements which we see around him to-day, and with his aged partner, is passing his declining years in ease and comfort. Father Grove is seventy-two years of age, and his estimable wife has just rounded up her threescore years and ten. Both are members of the German Baptist Church. Their children were named respectively: Dicie H., John H., Ollie C., Maria, James E., Susan and Nancy E. J.
   Mr. and Mrs. Roelofsz began their wedded life at the homestead which they now occupy, in a style corresponding to their means and surroundings, which were widely different from those of to-day. Mr. R. has made good improvements, setting out forest and fruit trees, having in groves and his orchard about six acres. The present residence was completed in the spring of 1878. The barns and outbuildings compare favorably with those of the intelligent men around him. In 1882 he added 200 acres to his first purchase, this latter lying on section 11, and also in a good state of cultivation. Later he purchased eighty acres on section 24. This also is improved and is operated by a renter.
   Our subject. in the spring of 1880, established a store of general merchandise at Sun Light in connection with the post-office. He put up the build-

ing and still owns the property; he carried there a stock of about $1,000. In the spring of 1887 he moved his goods to the young and enterprising little town of Eagle, where he also owns his building and lot, besides his residence and three other lots. He also has a lumber office and lot on Main street. He has increased his stock considerably, and enjoys a good patronage from the people of this section.
   Among the prominent men of the Republican party of this locality Mr. Roelofsz occupies no unimportant position. He is frequently chosen as a delegate to the various conventions. and is an earnest worker for the principles in which he believes. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. R. is no sectarian, but believes in the general establishment of churches, and assists others besides his own. He is usually connected with the School Board of his district, and was Postmaster at Sun Light for a period of seven years.
   The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Roelofsz was completed by the birth of six children. who were named respectively: Minnie M., James P., Cora. Nettie B., Amanda and Effie. The eldest daughter, a bright and interesting young lady, officiates as clerk in her father's store. The others make their home with their parents, the younger ones attending school. Mr. R. received very little schooling in his youthful days, but has been a reader and an observer, and has thus secured a useful fund of information. There are few men with whom it is more pleasurable or profitable to converse.

OSEPH W. COX. Emerson justly says that "all history is only the biography of men." The troubles, trials and labors of one individual are but a specimen of the efforts of many who have to fight the battle of life and go down to their graves unchronicled. In listening to the life story of this honored resident of Avoca Precinct, the truth of this statement appears most forcible, as teaching the discouraged hope under the most untoward circumstances, and how perseverance under the greatest difficulties eventually conquers.
   Mr. Cox came to the Territory of Nebraska as early as 1867, and began life as a farmer on rented land, which he operated a few years. and was then eaten out by grasshoppers. He then again worked as a renter until he could secure land of his own, first selecting 160 acres, upon which he operated a term of years, and began to gain a substantial footing. Later he added eighty acres to his possessions, and has one of the finest farms along the southern line of the county, 240 acres in extent, and located on sections 5 and 6. During his operations of nineteen years upon this farm he has labored early and late for its improvement and cultivation, with results which should be amply satisfactory. He has planted fruit and shade trees, put up substantial buildings, and has a fine apple orchard and a goodly assortment of live stock. His ideas of progress have led him to secure the latest improved farm machinery, and his land under careful and judicious management is the source of a handsome income.
   A native of the Buckeye State, our subject was born in Bristol Township, Trumbull County, Sept. 14, 1838. There he spent his boyhood and youth, becoming familiar with farm pursuits and acquiring a practical education in the common schools. He lived there until coining to Nebraska. He is the son of Japheth Cox, a native of the same county in Ohio and born in Bristol Township, where he spent his entire life on the farm of his father, John Cox. The latter settled there in 1805, three years after Ohio had been admitted into the Union as a State.
   John Cox, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of York County, Pa., and of English and German ancestry, who were first represented in this country during the Colonial times, when John Cox, Sr., crossed the Atlantic and settied in North Carolina, removing thence to York County, Pa., at an early period in its history. He located in York County, and it will be seen that the name has been familiar in that section of Pennsylvania for several generations.
   Grandfather John Cox was reared to manhood in his native county, where he began life as a far-

mer, and in early manhood, laying aside for a brief time the implements of agriculture, shouldered the musket and did good service as a soldier in the War of 1812. Prior to the close of this conflict he returned to his farm and his family. He married Miss Catherine Bower, of York County, who was also born and reared there, and was of German ancestry. They took up their residence in Bristol Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1805, and constructed a homestead from the unbroken wilderness, John Cox felling the timber around his cabin home, and his good wife assisting him after the manner of the pioneer women of those times. They remained in Trumbull County, Ohio, until they were gathered to their fathers. Grandfather Cox in 1857, at the advanced age of eighty-five years, came to his death by being burned, his clothes taking fire one night when he had arisen from his bed to procure medicine for a slight ailment. Although so old he was still hale and hearty, the result of a temperate life and correct habits. His aged partner survived him two years, dying at the age of eighty-seven. She was a very bright and intelligent old lady, beloved and admired by all who knew her.
   Japheth Cox, the father of our subject, was one of the younger members of a family of ten children, all of whom lived to mature years, were married and reared families of their own. Japheth attained to man's estate with well-developed muscles and a healthy mind, and continued at the old homestead. caring for his parents until his death, which occurred in February, 1855. Although the child of a long-lived pair, he was cut down in his prime, being only forty-one years old. He was a skillful farmer and a capable business man, popular among his neighbors, and in all respects a worthy citizen.
   Mrs. Angeline (Webster) Cox, the mother of our subject, was born in March, 1815, in New York, and came from old New England stock, being the daughter of Joseph Webster, who married a Miss Ackley, the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier of considerable consequence on account of his sturdy patriotism and fidelity to duty. The Ackleys were of English descent. Joseph Webster and his wife spent their last days in Trumbull County, Ohio. They were natives of Connecticut, whence they emigrated to Chautauqua County, N. Y., at an early day, and from the Empire State changed their residence to Ohio.
   Mrs. Cox at the death of her husband was left with four children, whom she kept together until they had nearly reached years of maturity. She was then married to E. D. Hickley, who died twenty years later, in 1886, at their home in Ohio. and was seventy-six years old. Mrs. Hickley is still living, making her home with one of her younger sons, Emery F., in Trumbull County, Ohio, and is now seventy-four years old.
   The subject of this sketch was the eldest of the four children born to his parents, all sons, and was about sixteen years old at the time of his father's death. It naturally fell to his portion to become the support and assistance of his widowed mother, and for some years he discharged these duties in a manner reflecting great credit upon himself. At the age of twenty-four years, desirous of establishing domestic ties of his own, he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen L. Gleason, at the home of the bride, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, April 16, 1862.
   Mrs. Cox was born in Berkshire, Mass., Nov. 16, 1838, and is, like her husband, the offspring of substantial New England ancestry, who made their way to the young State of Ohio when a large proportion of its territory was a wilderness. Her parents, John and Alvira (Hunter) Gleason, were natives respectively of Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Gleasons came originally from Scotland, whence the family was driven to the North of Ireland in the general hegira of that period consequent upon religious persecution. They were a people unusually intelligent and enterprising as citizens, reliable, honest and industrious, and wherever they settled formed the bone and sinew of their community.
   John Gleason, the father of Mrs. Cox, was a carpenter by trade, and leaving his native State when a young man, he went to Massachusetts, where he found his bride. In 1854 they migrated from the Bay State to Ohio, locating in Ashtabula County, where his death took place in 1879, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. The wife and mother survived her husband until 1882,

being then seventy-four years old. Both were for many years members in good standing of the Congregational Church. The father of John Gleason did good service as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
   The wife of our subject was carefully reared by her excellent parents, and was quite young when they made the removal from her native State to Ohio. She is the mother now of three children, all sons -- Hardwood J., Richard R. and Frank A. The eldest is a young man of good education, and has followed the profession of a teacher considerably. Mr. Cox has never entertained any desire for official honors, although he keeps himself well posted upon the various questions of the day, and uniformly gives his support to the Republican party. He has served as Assessor in his precinct, and is a man liberal and public-spirited, always to be found on the side of those enterprises calculated to advance the interests of his community. The family comprises a portion of the best element of Cass County, and the homestead is one of the most attractive features in its landscape. In addition to its fertile soil there is a fine rock quarry, the stone from which is utilized not only by the proprietor, but by the people around to excellent advantage.

ILLIAM E. LATTA is familiarly known thoroughout (sic) Rock Bluff Precinct and vicinity as one of its pioneers, and was engaged in general merchandising at Mutray (sic) until recently. He had the monopoly of trade, being the sole merchant of the Village, is a man remarkably upright in his transactions, and as a natural result enjoyed the esteem and confidence of the community. He sold his store to Mr. John Edmonds, and gave possession Feb. 1, 1889.
   The Latta family is of Scotch ancestry, and formed one of the colony of those who were driven from their native soil to the North of Ireland on account of religious persecution. William Latta, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in the latter country, and when a mere boy emigrated with his parents to the United States, they locating in Crawford County, Pa. He was there reared to man's estate, married a lady of that region, Miss Jane McConnaha, and reared a fine family of sons and daughters. Among their sons was Robert, the father of our subject, who was born in Crawford County, Pa., about 1821. Robert Latta was reared to manhood in Crawford County, and after his marriage settled in the vicinity of Cincinnati, Ohio, about 1853, where occurred the birth of our subject, William E., July 22, 1854.
   The parents of our subject sojourned in the Queen City until about 1858, then started for the West, and crossing the Mississippi went down into the southwestern corner of Iowa, and settled in Page County. From there they removed to Mills County in the same State, and thence in 1861 to the Territory of Nebraska, locating not long afterward on 160 acres of new land on section 27 in Rock Bluff Precinct. There the mother, Mrs. Lettitia Latta, died Feb. 17, 1870. In the year 1871, Robert Latta rented his farm, and afterward proceeded to Chicago and engaged at his trade of carpenter, which he had learned during his early manhood. He only lived a short time afterward, dying in April of that same year. The parental household included seven children, six or whom are living. Calista married Sidney Miner, and they are residing on their farm in Rock Bluff Precinct; George A. is a resident of Webster County, Neb.; William E., of our sketch, was the third child; Lizzie died when a little child two years of age; James resides in Lincoln, Neb.; Samuel and Elbert are residents of Cass County. In the year 1875 our subject purchased the interests of the heirs in the home farm, and resided upon it until the spring of 1888. Then, leaving it in the hands of a tenant he invested a part of his capital in a stock of merchandise, and established himself in business at Murray. He had a good trade among the people surrounding him, and being courteous and accommodating, was popular among his fellow-citizens. The business was first established in 1884 by his brother Samuel, and his uncle, Samuel G. Latta, of whom he purchased stock and property.
   The marriage of William E. Latta and Miss Sarah Current was celebrated at the home of the bride in Liberty Precinct, Cass Co., Neb., Oct. 1, 1873. Mrs. Latta is the daughter of James A. and

Caroline (Colburn) Current, who are natives of Virginia and Indiana respectively, and are now living in Elmwood, this county. Of this union there have been born three children -- Letta O., James Oscar and Robert Bruce. The latter died Feb. 18, 1885, when twenty-two months old. Mr. Latta, politically, is an earnest Republican, and his estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ONRAD H. VALLERY was one of the first white children born in Cass County, his birth having taken place in Plattsmouth Precinct, April 26, 1858, his parents having been early settlers of this part of Nebraska. He was reared amid the pioneer scenes of the early years of the settlement of the State, and in due time took his place among those who were developing and sustaining its wonderful agricultural resources. He is now the proud possessor of one of the best tilled and most productive farms to be found in his native town.
   The parents of Conrad Vallery, Theobalt and Wilhelmina (Mutz) Vallery, were born in Germany, and coming to the United States when young located in Pike County, Ohio. They remained residents of that county until 1855, and in that year sought a new home in the wilds of the Territory of Nebraska, and thus became pioneers of Cass County. They continued living here until death, the father dying Oct. 29, 1864, in the prime of life, being but forty-two years of age, and the mother following him a few years later, her death occurring Oct. 22, 1877, at the age of fifty-eight. Mr. Vallery was identified with the agricultural interests of Cass County during his few years' residence here, and but for his untimely death woul probably have placed himself among the leading farmers of his neighborhood, by whom he was greatly respected for his many good qualities. The following is the record of the eight children born to himself and wife: Mary married Harry Wright, and is living in the Black Hills; Jacob R. is living in this county; Catherine, who married Hiram Adams, died April 16,1875, aged twenty-five years and eleven months, leaving one child; Henry lives in Saunders County, Neb.; Christina married George Sigler, and lives in Cluster County, Neb.; Peter is in the Black Hills; our subject and Theobalt.
   The subject of this sketch was married, Oct. 29, 1877, to Miss Frances Sprague, daughter of Howard and Catherine (Spicer) Sprague. This marriage has been blessed to them by the birth of five children, all of whom are living, namely: Myrtle B., Alfa M., Jessie H., Albert W. and Blanche. Mrs. Vallery's parents were natives of New York and Pennsylvania respectively. The father is now living in Montana. The mother died when Mrs. Vallery was a little girl, and she then went to live with her elder sister, Martha Barr, in Montana. Her sister's family soon after returned to Cass County, where they still live, and where Mrs. V. was married. The mother died in Iowa where Mrs. Vallery was born.
   Mr. Vallery has a farm of 120 acres of exceedingly fertile land, which, by his own skill and labor, he has improved into a valuable piece of property. Our subject having been born during the first decade of the settlement of Nebraska, its pioneer ays had not passed away during the years of his boyhood, and he has a distinct remembrance of the times and scenes of those days, and converses very interestingly upon them. He has a vivid recollection of the Indians, who were then numerous in this part of the country, coming out in war paint and frightening the white settlers from their homes to flee to the town of Plattsmouth for protection. He remembers well when deer, antelopes and other wild animals roamed over the wild, sparsely settled country. He says that in those primitive days, when the necessaries of life were hard to obtain and the luxuries were unattainable, the people living so far from the great centers of civilization cheerfully wore the coarsest and plainest clothing The men and boys wore course cotton jeans, and the boys would go barefooted excepting in the winter season, when they wore shoes of the coarsest material. The incongruities of bare feet and paper collars were often observed as features of the Sunday costumes of the youngsters in pioneer days. The girls of that period wore on Sundays dresses made of coarse brown drilling. Our subject has witnessed the evo-

lution of society in this part of the country from its primitive condition to its present high status, and he is contributing to the material welfare of Cass County. His honorable course thus far in life has won for him the respect and friendship of his neighbors. Politically, he affiliates with the Democrats, being an earnest supporter of that party.

OHN E. ANDRUS. The subject of this sketch, and one of the substantial citizens of Tipton Precinct, was born near Canton, Bradford Co., Pa., Nov. 20, 1847. His mother died when he was five years old, and he then went to live with his sister, Hulda L. Willhelm, on the farm until he was nine years old. Leaving her he went to live with a gentleman by the name of Aaron Barns, and remained with him until he was twelve years old, and then went to Bradford, in Pennsylvania, and made his home with an uncle until he was seventeen years old. Then he began life for himself by working for others. He began by chopping wood for his board and going to school. The next spring, in April, he began working for Dwight Freeman, where he remained for three years. In the spring of 1859 he went to Marengo, Iowa Co., Iowa, where he worked on a farm, but at the expiration of three years he determined to try his luck in this State and secure a home of his own. He started by rail to Plattsmouth in the fall of 1870. He went on to Tipton Precinct, where he remained over winter with his sister. In the spring he purchased a claim of eighty acres of land, his present place of residence, for which he paid $600. There were no improvements on this claim, but he set to work at once with a will to make his claim second to none in value in the county; a glance over his well-improved acres will attest his success in this undertaking. He has three acres of grove and an orchard of 200 fine trees. He has the advantage of running water on his place, a branch of the Nemaha River. He has paid his whole attention to his farm, improving it in every possible direction, so that it is now in a very high state of cultivation, and is a continual compliment to the energy and skill of its owner. In 1874 he rented his place and went back to Iowa, where he worked during the year 1875, then came back, and in November, 1884, purchased 160 acres in Red Willow County, which he has sold. He improved his farm in 1887 by putting up a nice new house, barns and other necessary buildings.
   There is a new grove of ash timber which has sprung up spontaneously on the place of our subject. He takes great pride in his fine herd of graded Short-born cattle and Poland-China hogs, which is certainly testified by their appearance, which shows the care lavished upon them, and he has also seven head of graded horses.
   Our subject was married in Pilot Township, Iowa County, Jan. 28, 1873, to Miss Exona Harbour, who was born in Ohio. They are blessed with three children: Charles, who is deceased; Norah D., nine years old, and Arthur W.; four months old. In the largeness of their hearts they have taken a child from the Home of the Friendless, at Lincoln, and named him Charles Andrus; he is five years old. Our subject was a member of the School Board for five years, has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school at Union and Eagle for nine years. He takes a lively interest in politics and is an active Republican. He is a gentleman who believes in farming a little land and farming it well. He owns only eighty acres at present, provided with all the modern improved implements for properly cultivating and caring for the various crops to the best advantage. He is a man who deserves and has the respect and confidence of all his neighbors, and strict and unswerving integrity marks all his transactions. A view of his neat and well-kept home appears on another page.

ACOB J. BAHR. Few men along the southern line of Cass County are more widely or favorably known than the subject of this sketch. During his nine years' residence in Tipton Precinct he has been closely identified with its growth and prosperity. He represents real estate to the amount of 320 acres of improved land. It is acknowledged by every intelligent individual that a good wife exercises a vast influence in the